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More investigation needs to be done on suspect in Bryan Stow beating, prosecutors say

May 24, 2011 | 6:46
pm

Prosecutors met with Los Angeles police detectives today to review the case against a suspect in the beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow, and determined that more investigating needs to be done before charges can be filed.

Typically, suspects must be charged within 48 hours of an arrest, but in this case Giovanni Ramirez, 31, is in custody on an alleged parole violation. He was arrested Sunday in connection with the beating of Stow at Dodger Stadium after the team's season opener.

Police said Ramirez was staying at a different apartment from the one he had registered with parole officials, a potential violation of the terms of his release.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, said the parole hold has given investigators flexibility to conduct more work on the case before formally presenting it to the district attorney’s office.

They stressed that the decision to conduct more investigation was not a reflection on the strength or weakness of the evidence against Ramirez and said such a move is routine when suspects remain behind bars on unrelated matters.

They declined to specify what additional investigation needs to be done, saying they wanted to avoid jeopardizing the case. But police officials have scheduled a physical lineup on Wednesday in which witnesses will be asked whether they can identify the assailant.